Sunday, November 28, 2010

Farewell to autumn...

Hello everyone! Well, I got through Thanksgiving, but, oh, was I wiped out by the end of the day. Having 23 people at my table was more like feeding a small army than a family...All went well, except Mr. Tom Turkey decided to be "fashionably late" to our feast--actually an hour and a half late! That big old 22-pound bird would just not get done! I don't think anyone noticed the late dinner hour (around 7:45 PM) except my husband and me who kept frantically checking every 10 minutes to see whether or not we could safely serve the turkey without sending everyone to the hospital with food poisoning! When we finally sat down, I was able to seat 20 of us at two long tables pushed together that I had set up in my sunroom (as you can see in the photo) and my darling six-year old triplet great-nieces sat at the kitchen counter. All in all, it seemed to be a big success, but I'll be relieved to have a break next year...One of the highlights of my Thanksgiving was when one of my triplet great-nieces sweetly asked, "Aunt Carol, did you make that?" as she pointed to a very old (2004) Sue Hillis autumn stitching. I told her that I did and she said, "Ohhhh"--quite admiringly so I asked her if she would like to see my other autumn pieces (it's never too early to get a future stitcher addicted, is it?!). I then gave her a little tour of my autumn pieces and thought I might as well show them to my blogging friends as well...

This Bent Creek piece called "Leaf" was one of the first times I used over-dyed threads when I stitched it back in 2005. You see, I had a period of about 10 years when I gave up stitching altogether and didn't take it up again until 2003. I was just too busy with remodeling our house, raising the kids, work, etc. So when I returned, the world of over-dyed threads, hand-dyed fabrics, and such amazingly intricate patterns was brand new to me. I was like a kid in a candy store! Stitching had come a long, long way from the teddy bears, country geese, and quilts that I remembered from the early 90s...

Next up on my autumn stitching "tour" is, of course, a Prairie Schooler seasonal sampler. This one was stitched in 2008 and is from Book No. 123: "Country Seasons." It is one of my all-time favorites--I just love the face on the moon, the turkey running through the pumpkin patch, and the strange looking little squirrel gnawing on an acorn in the tree branch. I think this color pallet (that is seen so frequently in PS designs) is one reason I love their creations so much.

Next, I have yet another Prairie Schooler piece from Book No. 50: "Prairie Seasons." I really never meant to keep it in this frame--I just stuck it in there when I finished it back in 2007 and there it's stayed. Still looking for the perfect frame... Don't you love the checkerboard tail on the squirrel? I'll have to say the pumpkin-head scarecrow doesn't seem to be doing a very good job of scaring away those crows, does he?

The final fall piece that I showed to my great-niece on her tour was the November turkey from Prairie Schooler Book No. 90: "Spring & Fall." I think she loved this turkey almost as much as I do. I finished him up in 2009 as one of my "Ornament a Week" pieces and have used him in my November blog header this month. It was such fun sharing all my autumn stitches with my little niece and I do hope she develops a love of stitching as she gets older...

Just look at what I got from my niece (the mother of the triplets) and her mom, my dear sister-in-law, as a hostess gift on Thanksgiving: a wonderfully monogrammed stitching tote! Don't you love it? I told them they couldn't have given me a more perfect gift and they can be assured that it will be put to very good use in the future... There are two little mesh pockets on both ends to hold floss, needles, and small charts and lots of room inside for my fabric, scissors, and larger charts--perfect!

A special thank you goes out to Veronica at Veronica's Stitching Vault for this lovely scissor fob which I won in her recent giveaway. The purple beads are so beautiful and the tiny seahorse charm at the end makes it even more special. I loved what Veronica wrote to me about this fob...She said that when she first started designing it, it began with one focal bead which she thought was rather ugly, and yet the finished fob ended up being one her favorites. She went on to say how this taught her to open her mind to possibilities. What a great attitude and one that I'm going to try to keep in mind... So thank you, Veronica--I truly love your gift. And it looks just great on this new pair of Gingher scissors that I recently treated myself to!

I'm going to leave you with the photo of my cookie tray from Thanksgiving dessert. This year, my oldest son, baked some of his scrumptious chocolate chip cookies as well... I do love to bake and always look forward to this time of year when I can bake to my heart's content! My family is always very appreciative of the cookies, the pecan, cherry, apple, and pumpkin pies, and the pumpkin-cranberry bread that I make each Thanksgiving. I think if, for some reason, they weren't on our menu each year, there would be a major revolt! It was wonderful to see so many family members, but my very favorite part of the holiday weekend was waking up each morning knowing my visiting sons were all safe and sound asleep in their childhood bedrooms. There was just something so comforting in that thought...

Well, that's about it for my autumn stroll down stitching memory lane. I've carefully packed them up and stored them away until next fall when I will delightedly "rediscover" them! I know that winter doesn't officially start until December 21st, but, for me, the first of the month always seems like the beginning of winter. I'm looking forward to decorating for Christmas and envy those of you who have already started (or finished!)... Hopefully, I can do a bit each week and now that Thanksgiving is over I will finally have some stitching time again. Oh, how I've missed it over the past week or so...

Wishing you a delightful start to December--thank you all for dropping in, saying "hi," and continuing to inspire me with your creativity and stitching. Bye now...

I was missing your posts Carol. It is your story telling I enjoy along with all of your pictures. I was looking each day to see where you were. I knew you had a huge crowd over. I cannot imagine cooking for that many people. What a giving person you are. The stroll down your lane was wonderful. It is your gift to tell stories like you do. It is sad to say I don't have any Fall stitching pieces to display this time of year. I will have to work on that. Christmas is my favorite holiday I have a bunch of those. I just finished putting up my second tree and all the trimmings. It is the first time in my life I have ever been done this early. Being out of work to Dec. 18 means I have a lot of time on my hands. COOKIES, I am the cookie monster in my house. Yours always look so yummy.

Wow, I'm so impressed with you -- 23 people?! Wow! And a 22 pound turkey -- no wonder it didn't want to be done. lol! Love all your fall stitching. So beautiful! I love PS too -- it always has a special place in my heart. Love the stitching tote and the fob too! And all those cookies! You are quite the baker!

Wow, such alot of work, your table is gorgeous though, as is that platter of assorted yummy cookies!!

Your autumn stitching pieces all framed, are timeless ones...don't you just love displaying these each year? If it weren't for Christmas so close on the heels of Thanksgiving each year, I would not want to be taking down my autumn decor!

What a great festivity celebration. Your stitching pieces are beautiful. Love the prairie schooler pieces, this is one of my favorite designers. I need to get more of my pieces done. You are great inspiration. The cookies look delicious even by the web. I have been wanting to get my new spritz gun out and broken in. Now I know I will. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family.

Carol, your table in the sunroom is gorgeous and I bet no one cared that dinner was late. I know you enjoyed having the guys home. How cute that your niece was interested in your stitching. I know I enjoyed seeing all of your autumn pieces.

I loved this post Carol! It gave me such a homey feeling. Your stitched pieces are wonderful and seeing all those yummy cookies has got me in the mood to bake. I get that same feeling you do when all my boys are home and under the same roof again. It's so wonderful having them all there together again!

You have a wonderful sunroom, your table is beautiful as is the autumnal stitching. I love that your nieces are interested in what you made - that is priceless!

Your cookie tray looks virtually the same as my Christmas baking. I don't do brownies or the iced cookies and my raspberry cookies are a bit different but otherwise we're on the same page with our holiday baking!

OK, first of all my mind is still stuck on that cookie tray but I do want to say how much I love the PS Autumn pieces you have stitched too :) A cookie would go good with my tea right now though! LOL. Glad to hear you had a lovely Thanksgiving and I'm exhausted just hearing how many you served, wow!

It sounds like lots of work for the Thanksgiving dinner, but sure it was wonderful to have your family together. Next time you have to serve dinner around that hour you can tell your guests that you are eating according to Spanish timetable. Here dinner never starts before 8 pm, but if eating out in a restaurant then even later. This was one of the hardest things for me to get used to...

Your autumn pieces look all beautiful I love the PS ones the most, I am simply in love with the colors they are using, the designs...

I started stitching when I was a child, then stopped for about 10 years and took it up again during university (when trying to relax a bit between two exams during our 7 week exam periods). For a while I was stitching from books and magazines we had already but one day we discovered the world of stitching blogs and with it designers like PS, Bent Creek, Lizzie Kate, LHN, CCN... and a whole new world opened for me. Since then I just can't stop stitching :)

You had a busy thanksgiving but it sounds like a wonderful time was shared by all. I loved all your autumn pieces especially the Bent Creek one - well done. Oh my goodness your stitching bag looks wonderful what a thoughtful gift and those cookies looks just lovely. I do understand what you mean about your 'boys' sleeping safe and sound in their beds. It is a comforting thought.

Hi Carol! Thanks for my welcome back to blogland. I am looking forward to things becoming normal again. It will now be time for me to start my Christmas decorating soon. That while not even being done with decorating the new house period. :-)

What a large family gathering! The table looks beautiful and I love how your little grand niece asked about your stitching. What lovely things you have stitched for autumn over the years.

wonderful blog post.....as always...you have a way with words....so beautifully put.I loved the journey thru your fall pieces....with the triplets!!!!! Wonder if our triplet boys will show that interest some day?!!?Relax & breath now......

What a beautiful post! What I remember most is your comment about having your sons sleeping in their beds! Your table and decorations all looked so lovely! And if anyone was upset about the turkey being late - it was probably just because they wanted to get at that plate of cookies!!

I so enjoyed reading this post Carol. I'm glad everything well over Thanksgiving even if you had your moments with an stubborn turkey who wouldn't cook! I enjoyed seeing your autumn pieces. Today, I put the little bits and pieces I have had out away. While I'm not yet ready for Christmas decorations and a tree I am ready to move into winter decorating. Love the stitching tote bag - what a perfect gift! Lovely giveaway win too.

Thank you so much for sharing your Thanksgiving photos. Your table looked magnificent and I longed to be invited. Australians generally don't "do" Thanksgiving, but Christmas is fast approaching and I just love the traditions of the festive season, although I don't think a 22 lb turkey would fit in my oven !! Your stitching, as always, is beautiful.I guess Mothers never lose that amazing emotion when all their children are safely together under one roof.Thanks again Carol for sharing.Mary

Love to go on stitching tour with you and your niece. You stitched so many beautifull pieces. I hope in a few years also to have so many lovely stitching finishes..You had a fun dinner I read... 23 people, who and you cooked it all alone (with DH) bravo!!!I love the bag you got, beautifull colors, and so easy to use, have fun with it.Beautifull sciossor fob, anjoy using it.

Oh Carol, no wonder that you felt like wiped out a bit after the festivities. I've never had so many guests to cook for. That's truely heroic, lol. Those cookies make my mouth water, I'd like to put my hand through the monitor and just grab some, one of each kind. Ot maybe two, lol.Your autumn pieces are such a dream, and oh there are three PS pieces among them. I do love them all.

I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving, even if it was a lot of hardwork. All of your Autumn pieces are stunning and I hope your great-niece does catch on to the hobby. Your cookie tray is making my mouth water! Happy stitching to you.

Oh ! Carol ! I love all your autumn stitching !!!!!What a beautiful table for Thanksgiving !!!! I hope that you had a lovely day with all your family !!!!!Miam !!!! Your cookies look very good !!!Happy December Carol !Hugs

I loved seeing all of your autumn stitching, Carol! What a treat that must have been for your niece. I aspire to be able to do that with my stitching... hopefully will work towards it this coming year. For so long, I've had the mindset of "I don't want to spend money on framing something I'll only put out once a year", and now I am regretting that. I'll have to bookmark this blog entry for inspiration! ;)

Hello Carol, I've just found your blog through another one I follow (Of Needles, Pins & Stitching Things) and I love it !! Thanks for showing us your Autumn collection. I am just starting mine and yours is an inspiration. You must have had a lovely Thanksgiving in spite of all the work. You are blessed to have your family with you. Mine is far away and I missed them during that time, well... all the time !!. Cookies look yummy too and like you, I do love baking some of them and giving them away as gifts. Thanks for sharing... I'll be back.

Thanks for sharing your Autumn pieces Carol, i am sure your grand neice was very impresses with Aunt Carols beautiful work, i bet it will be one of those times that stay with her forever, those moments are such precious memories in the future

Your thanksgiving table looks wonderful and the cookie tray delicisous - at least i wont be putting on the pounds just looking at it on the screen here LOL

Sounds like a wonderful family time :)Unfortunately we don't have Thanksgiving around here.

Reading about your great-niece's question made me smile =) Maybe you'll be teaching her how to cross stitch one of these days ;) Beautiful pieces that you have there, lovely collection :)Loveeeeee your stithcing tote, amazing gift, lucky girl! :D

Welcome!

Welcome ~ I'm so glad you've dropped in for a visit! I love getting to know fellow cross stitchers from around the world, discovering new stitching blogs, and being inspired by your work. I hope you enjoy your visit today and thanks for taking the time to say "hello!"Carol